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Apr 21, 2017

It's tunic time....part six!

This tunic started out as a slim fitting men's shirt. I loved the color and small checks. If you notice in the before picture that the shirt is hanging from tree branches, it's because we were camping when I did this refashion. Yes, I brought my sewing machine camping! I have to admit, though, after years of tent camping, we now enjoy "glamping" in a travel trailer.

I removed the collar and the sleeves.

I cut a scoop neck.

After cutting down the width of the shoulder seams, I added a couple of higher darts to the bodice and then reattached the shortened sleeves.

I cut away the button bands on both sides of the shirt front, and then added a 6 1/2" wide piece of white fabric. I then made an inverted pleat at the top.

I finished the neckline with some bias trim cut from the excess sleeve fabric.

I added a few square buttons that mimicked the check in the fabric. To finish the tunic, I cut off some of the length and added a new shirt tail hem.

I'm pleased with the way this one turned out and think it will be a nice summer tunic!

Thanks Pam! It really was a pretty simple refashion. It would be even simpler if someone started with a women's blouse that already fit across the shoulders and had the sleeves that they liked. Then it would be just a matter of adding the inverted pleat and creating a scoop neck.

Thanks Deb, and good for you! I enjoy taking my sewing machine with me on vacations, whether it be camping or staying at my parents' cabin on the coast. It's the only time that I get to experience guilt-free sewing...no housework, cooking, phones, etc. that need my attention!